The Washington Nationals weren’t going to sign any of the big free agents.
Don’t expect them to go after Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery or J.D. Martinez, either.
However, the mid-to-low tier of free agents can represent a realistic source of affordable talent for a team that is in the upswing.
That’s what they did on Wednesday: they went out and secured the services of a starting-caliber outfielder in Eddie Rosario, per MLB Network.
The Washington Nationals are reportedly signing outfielder Eddie Rosario. pic.twitter.com/zzLhRsoQ5f
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 6, 2024
Reports indicate that it will be a split contract that could pay him up to $4 million with incentives.
The Nats are unlikely to make it official until later in the week because they need the player to pass his physical, but it’s expected to be a formality.
Rosario, who has a career .766 OPS in the regular season, also was solid in 2023 with the Atlanta Braves.
He hit .255/.305/.450 with 21 home runs, 74 RBI, 24 doubles, and a .755 OPS with the NL East champs.
However, the Braves declined a $9 million option to retain Rosario for 2024 and he became a free agent.
Rosario, who has five postseason home runs and a .865 career OPS in October, can give Jesse Winker some competition for the left field job in Washington.
He was particularly effective with the Braves in their magical 2021 postseason run, in which he won the NLCS MVP award with a 1.647 OPS, three homers, and nine RBI.
The Nationals are probably a year or two away from truly contending for a postseason spot, but they are on the right path and adding Rosario’s power bat from the left side helps.
NEXT: Top Nationals Prospect Continues Torrid Spring With Another Homer